Meaningful property tax cuts this year are "not too likely" or "not likely at all," 67 percent
of New Jersey voters say in a Quinnipiac University poll released today. Only 30 percent
say property tax cuts are "very likely" or "somewhat likely."

A proposed 20 percent cut in property taxes is the "right amount," 49 percent of
New Jersey voters tell the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll,
while 29 percent say it is "too little," and 10 percent say it is "too much."

"New Jersey voters are clearly skeptical that Gov. Corzine and the State
Legislature will provide meaningful property tax relief this year. Despite apparent
agreement on a plan, only about a third of voters say property tax reform is likely this year
and a majority disapprove of the way both the Governor and Legislature are handling the
issue," said Clay F. Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling
Institute.

"Nearly a majority say the 20 percent property tax credit being discussed is about
the right amount."

New Jersey voters support 54 - 34 percent a plan to cap property tax hikes at 4
percent per year. Among those who support the 4 percent cap, support drops to 53 - 41
percent if it leads to layoffs and cuts in services such as public safety and trash collection.

Voters split 46 - 46 percent on requiring public employees to pay more into their
health insurance plans and to accept a reduction in retirement benefits.

Voters oppose 53 - 34 percent a proposal to sell or lease the New Jersey Turnpike
or the Garden State Parkway as a way to reduce state debt and provide money for property
tax relief.

"Garden State motorists have little love for the Turnpike or the Parkway, but they
want to keep these famous - or infamous - toll roads in public hands," Richards said.

Civil Unions

Voters support 54 - 41 percent New Jersey's new law establishing civil unions for
same sex couples. By a narrow 49 - 45 percent margin, voters do not think mayors,
county clerks and judges should be legally required to perform civil union ceremonies.
And voters agree 75 - 18 percent that religious officials who perform marriages should
not be required to perform civil union ceremonies.

Death Penalty

Voters oppose 53 - 41 percent a proposal to eliminate the death penalty in New
Jersey.

When asked which penalty they prefer for people convicted of murder, 51 percent
choose life with no chance of parole and 41 percent choose the death penalty.

"Voters are split on the death penalty. While a majority oppose a commission
report to repeal the death penalty, there is narrow preference for life in prison without
parole instead of death as the maximum sentence for convicted murders," Richards said.

From January 16 - 22, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,310 New Jersey voters
with a margin of error of +/- 2.7 percentage points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public
opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio and
nationally as a public service and for research.
For more data -- www.quinnipiac.edu and click on Institutes and Centers, or call (203) 582-5201.

14. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jon Corzine is handling his job as
Governor?

26. The property tax plan now being considered would eliminate property tax
rebates for all but senior citizens and in return give a property tax credit
of up to 20 percent to most New Jersey homeowners. Do you think a 20 percent
property tax cut is too much, too little, or about the right amount?

28. (If support q27) Some mayors and other officials say that a four percent cap
would lead to lay offs and cuts in services like public safety and trash pick
ups. Would you support or oppose a 4 percent cap if it led to these cuts?

30. As part of the overall plan to cut budget expenses in New Jersey, do you
support or oppose requiring public employees to pay a higher proportion of their
health insurance plans and accept a reduction in future retirement benefits?

32. The attorney general stated that mayors, county clerks, and judges who
perform marriages must also perform civil union ceremonies for same sex couples.
Do you support or oppose requiring these public officials to also perform civil
union ceremonies?

33. The attorney general stated that ministers and other religious officials who
perform marriages are not required to perform civil union ceremonies for same
sex couples. Do you support or oppose not requiring these religious officials to
perform civil union ceremonies?